Creamy Lemonade Popsicles

I’m going to be honest here guys: the enemy is at work big time in my life right now. Preying on all the little weaknesses, the insecurities, the fears. He’s prying open worries that I’ve given over to the Lord many times over again, and yet apparently there’s still room for those healing moments to be exposed again. He’s whispering in my ear those little lies of not enough: not doing enough, not being enough, not thinking enough, not loving enough. I catch myself in this gloomy terrible mood, staring off into the distance while the here and now – this gift of life – flies by. And I stop. I drop, literally, to my knees. Most times I cry. And I just ask God to get me through.

There are a lot of things that have happened this past week, but the biggest and saddest of all was the passing of our friend Andrew. I’ve written about his and his wife‘s amazing journey as he battled cancer. I felt that surely, SURELY he would come through and be cancer free by a miracle of God. Granted, he IS now cancer free by a miracle of God, but in my sadness it’s hard to remember that. I think of his unwavering faith, Bailey’s hope in the Lord, and I think of how his little girl (only 3) will never really know her dad but will definitely know the legacy of faith he leaves behind. I’m so happy he’s no longer in pain, but my heart hurts and the tears fall freely at the sadness I feel for his family.

It really makes me sit back and wonder that if I’m gone tomorrow, would my life have impacted anyone for the Lord? Would I have loved others well enough that they would know that it’s all because of His love? Sometimes I look at my life and I just don’t know. But I know that God’s love covers it all – all the times I mess up, the times I forget, the times I let the enemy in because it just feels comfortable to wallow in my own dirtiness. I’m redeemed, and I can live my life in that promise of everlasting love and hope and know that He’s got it. Me, you, all of us for always.

Kind of heavy for a post about popsicles, right? I suppose I could tell you a couple of really good things about these though, because really they are just SO GOOD. They’re light, refreshing, wonderfully tart and just the right amount of sweet. Perfect for the days when you want to sit back and just let life soak in, to marvel at the glorious beauty around us. My prayer for you today, sweet friends, is that you would love God and love one another as you love yourself. And popsicles for all 🙂

CREAMY LEMONADE POPSICLES

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup water

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup stevia powder or sugar (I use stevia and prefer Stevia in the Raw for this)

1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until the stevia or sugar is dissolved. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours before serving!

Comments

Know that your life is definitely making a difference to those around you & to whomever may happen upon one of your blog posts that touches them in a way that they needed to be uplifted that day. HE is working thru you! God bless!

I am so sorry about Andrew. Losing someone is never, never easy but even more difficult when that someone is so young and leaves behind a precious family. He is rejoicing with our Lord and anticipating the time when all of his family, friends and fellow believers will be rejoicing with him. It’s okay to be sad and to miss him. You are strong; your faith is stronger. Because of those, the gray days will fade away as the sunny ones return. So will your smile.

Enjoy your weekend. If you guys get a spare moment, come by the lake house. I’m pretty sure we are going up this weekend. I know your schedule is full, but eat at Heirloom Foods on 2nd St if you get the chance. So good:)

Have no doubts–you have affected many people–family and friends–through your sweet spirit and writing. You would be terribly missed by so many. You do all you can and that is all that God expects of you (us). Love you!

Praying for you and Andrew’s family. What a difficult and trying time for all those involved. For the record, YOU inspire me to get closer to my faith and to God. Your honesty and humbleness are why I see you as a role model Christian. I’d much rather look up to someone who isn’t afraid of admitting that they aren’t perfect, because I”m not perfect and I struggle with my faith and question on whether I’m doing enough – reading my Bible enough, praying enough,…and it helps to see that I’m not alone.

On a more casual note, you know I love lemon! And the best part is that these popsicles do not come on one of those wooden sticks that I detest. Remind me of those wooden tongue pressers at the doctor when I was kid. Oh how I hated those 🙂

I’m so sorry for your loss, Heather. We have been dealing with lots of loss and questions here too and I’m clinging to the hope I know is there and trying to replay songs that keep reminding me of that. I’ll be praying for you and your friends.

It’s it crazy how one minute we can feel like we’ve got an issue handled and in the “past” and the next second it’s facing us head-on and causing us to stumble again? I hate how sneaky the enemy can be sometimes. I’m so sorry for your loss and the tears you’ve been shedding this week. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!

I’m so, so sorry to hear about your friend Andrew, Heather. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends. WIth a horrible segue :), these pops look absolutely delicious. I can see myself cooling down with a few of these on a hot summer day!

Oh man, I’m so sorry to hear about Andrew. I remember reading his story back when you first posted about him, and it both broke my heart and inspired me like crazy. I can tell his legacy is amazing, and I’m sure God will use that in ways people haven’t yet dreamed of…but in the meantime, death hurts, and I’m sorry that you are suffering through that. You’ll be in my prayers!

I’m so sorry about the loss of your friend. My prayers are with the family and friends who are grieving.
I enjoy getting to know your heart and your faith more and more through your blog.
And The Popsicles look Delish, Heather!

May Andrew RIP! My prayers to his grieving family. Sometimes (or should I say most of the times) this enemy comes into our way and makes us so lazy and comfortable with his thoughts poured into ours! Just pray Heather we could only do that! Clinging on to HIM as hard as possible and praying every moment and being thankful to HIM I guess is the only option left for us.

And How I wish I had one popsicle right now! Its scorching hot here in India 🙁 And I’ve got a doubt, wouldn’t the milk curdle up if we added lemon to it? you made me thinking how this is possible 😀 But you have indeed made it 😀 hoping to try it soon 🙂

You know, I was worried about the curdling too but I poured the milk in, whisked it right away, and then poured them immediately and it didn’t curdle at all. Granted I can’t speak for whether or not it did in the freezer, but the end result was nice and creamy regardless!